Athletes and Veterans with Disabilities Shine in Record Breaking Achilles Hope & Possibility® 4M Presented by TD Bank
Nearly 8,000 people completed the 23rd annual Achilles Hope & Possibility® 4M presented by TD Bank, the largest in the event’s history, on June 29 in Central Park in New York City. The race is produced in partnership with New York Road Runners (NYRR). People with and without disabilities compete together in a celebration of inclusion in the sport.
The race also had the largest turnout of Achilles chapter members from all five boroughs of New York City, Baltimore, Boston, Brazil, Connecticut, Long Island, Mexico, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team and Achilles Kids.
Congratulations to the Achilles athletes who placed in the top of their divisions, including:
Mary MacDonald, Achilles Boston, Women’s Pushrim Wheelchair
Michael LaRose, Achilles Long Island, Men’s Pushrim Wheelchair
Devann Murphy, Achilles NYC, Women’s Handcycle
Andrew Hairston, Achilles Freedom Team, Men’s Handcycle
Achilles New Jersey athlete and Eleanor Chapman, Women’s Ambulatory AWD
Elijah Jelisavcic, Team Achilles Kids, Men’s Ambulatory AWD
Rebecca Zarett, Achilles NYC, Women’s Visually Impaired
Irwin Ramirez, Achilles Washington, DC, Men’s Visually Impaired
Lorna Alvarange, Achilles NYC, Women’s Mobility Impaired
Edmar Souza, Achilles Brazil, Men’s Mobility Impaired
Mary Johnson, Achilles Long Island, Women’s Lower Limb Loss
Cristobal Martinez, Men’s Lower Limb Loss
Andrew and John Burbank, Achilles Connecticut, Duo Team
Achilles also congratulates all of the final finishers, including Team Ricky, of Achilles Connecticut.
Celebrities continued to show support of Achilles’ mission, including comedian and Achilles Advisory Council member Jon Stewart who has walked with the Achilles Freedom Team for over a decade. Peloton instructor and Achilles volunteer guide Mariana Fernández led pre-race stretches at the start line, then ran the race as a guide for Achilles NYC Metro Director Francesco Magisano.
The race, which is held as a precursor to July’s Disability Pride Month and the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), featured several unique inclusive elements including medals, race bibs and signage featuring braille. The start line ceremony featured performances by singers with disabilities including Molly Nilsen, singer and actress, and Maya Graves, Achilles athlete and FMDG Music School Ambassador.
Presenting sponsor TD Bank celebrated athletes at the award ceremony and on the course with special signage and giveaways at the bandshell activation, including an ice cream truck. TD Bank Regional Vice President Ralph Bumbaca kicked off the open division, highlighting passion for the Achilles’ partnership. The bank also hosted a pre-race dinner and provided goodie bags for military veterans who traveled to participate in the race from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The weekend began with a panel at the NYRR RUNCENTER, moderated by Jennie Platt, Chief Marketing Officer, TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®.
Achilles also thanks the volunteers from the National Football League (NFL) and sponsor GM Military Appreciation Program for making the race weekend special for the Achilles Freedom Team.
Photo Credits: Max Esposito
